Fresh from pledging to block the marriage plebiscite in the Senate, politicans who don’t trust the people to consider the consequences of change have today moved four same-sex marriage bills in the parliament.

It is very disappointing to see political elites denying the people a say while at the same time seeking to use even more of Parliament’s time on this issue.

The first day of the Parliament is not yet over and no less than four same-sex marriage bills have been moved. Are there not more important issues facing the nation?

Labor, the Greens and independents Andrew Wilke and Cathy McGowan have all signaled they will be moving bills to change the Marriage Act.

Same-sex marriage had been considered at least 18 times by the Parliament. Several parliamentary inquries since laws were amended in 2008 have found there is no discrimination against same-sex couples in Australian law.

This is such a big change with big consequences for free speech and children’s education that all Australians should be allowed to have a say in a peoples’ vote, as promised by the Coalition parties which won the election.

It was disappointing to see Opposition Leader Bill Shorten speaking condescendingly today to an Anglican priest who raised legitimate concerns about Mr Shorten’s marginalisation of people who wish to preserve the definition of marriage.

It really is time that silencing slurs like ‘homophobe’ and ‘bigot’ were dropped from the debate so there can be a free and respectful discussion of the issues.